Are you a Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, or even a Harry Potter fan? To be fair, it doesn’t really matter. The magic of Varenna will enchant you all the same! I visited this picturesque fishing village for the first time last weekend—travelling up from Milan by train (an hour’s ride). Going by the crowds, let’s just say: the cat is well and truly out of the bag. A hidden gem it ain’t (though it’s still a gem).
Anyway, have you been?
If not, then let me tell you more:
There were times when I felt like I had been transported to Middle Earth, but Varenna is located in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy on Lake Como. It offers way more to do than just gawking at the breathtaking views (which I did a lot).
Between the dense foliage and the fairytale-like colourful houses pictured, you can hike, sail, eat, or simply swoon your way through the village.
These photos were taken from Varenna’s waterfront and Villa Monastero—which, by the way, is a stunning botanical garden and museum. Oh, and well worth the €10 to visit.
Not gonna lie, it was a bit busy around the waterfront and the streets leading up to the Villa. Content creators, models, and tour guides were out in full force. Apparently, like many beauty spots in Europe, the best time to visit Varenna is during the autumn months.
That being said, the “busyness” didn’t completely overshadow my experience. I had a wonderful time, crowds and all. In fact, I’m still daydreaming about which house I’d live in. Of course, I couldn’t settle on just one!
My first choice is the big pink one that is slightly set apart from the others. And my second (joint) favourite is the house completely decked out in lush green foliage all over its facade. Which one(s) would you choose?
Looks magical 😊